Google, French publishers settle book clash

PARIS (AP) — Internet search giant Google and a group of French book publishers say they've resolved a long-running dispute over Google's book scanning and indexing efforts.

Google and France's National Publishers Association said in a joint statement Monday that Google will propose a "framework agreement" to French publishers containing guidelines for the digitization of out-of-print books. French publishers and authors, who both sued Google in 2006 for copyright violations, have agreed to drop their suits.

Publishers have the choice of whether or not to sign the proposed agreement, details of which were not disclosed.

In 2009 a French court ruled Google's expansion into digital books breaks France's copyright laws, and Google appealed the ruling. Google has already reached a deal with French publisher Hachette Livre, the world's second-largest book publisher.